Waiale Road Overpass repair project in Wailuku begins July 12

Maui motorists are advised of an overpass project on Waiale Road that begins on Monday, July 12, 2010.  Work will result in the total road closure of Waiale Road in both directions between Lower Main Street and Oihana Street under the Kaahumanu Avenue, Waiale Road Overpass.  This work area will be closed continuously, 24-hours per day, seven days per wweek, through the middle of September 2010 for overpass repairs. 

File photo by Wendy Osher.

Construction for the project is 100% federally funded by money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  “This project is one of two steel bridges on Maui,” said Department of Transportation Director, Brennon Morioka. 

The repairs are needed because the overpass has been damaged by multiple over-height vehicle collisions.  “We will be removing the old beams and replacing them with new stainless steel beams to increase the height clearance of the overpass,” said Morioka. 

The original overpass structure was built in 1935 as part of the Wailuku-Kahului Highway, which is now known as Kaahumanu Avenue.  An average of 23,500 to 31,300 vehicles now travel on the overpass daily.  The clope of the project will include the replacement of steel beams, as well as some sandblasting and repainting of steel portions of the structure.

In order to minimize disruptions to motorists, the work will be done during the school summer break.  Druing the construction period, motorists on Waiale Road are advised to follow detour signs and allow extra travel time for adjusted routes.  Motorists traveling in the Kahului-bound direction from Waiale Road may turn left on Kaohu Street, trun right on Market Street, trun right on Mill Street, and turn left on Lower Main Street.  Motorists traveling in the Wailuku-bound direction from Waiale Road may veer right towards Main Street, turn left on High Street, turn left on Kaohu Streetm and turn right on Waiale Drive. 

The $1.8 million construction contract was awarded to Abhe & Svoboda, Inc.

(Posted by Wendy Osher; Information courtesy Hawaii Department of Transportation)